HOW MANY SOCIAL WORKERS DO YOU KNOW?
originally posted @allaboutestates.ca
In addition to Fraud Prevention month as blogged by my colleague Elaine Blades on March 14, 2016, this month also celebrates social workers.
The theme of this year’s awareness campaign by the Ontario Association of Social Workers, is ‘Social Workers Help Turn Issues Into Answers’. Sure, we do that however I prefer their tagline: ‘Social Workers: Real Experts for Real Life’.
Social workers often get a bad rap. The name alone infers for many a negative image- if I need a social worker, things must be really bad! This is part of the reason for these awareness campaigns. For years I have used the term ‘Care Manager’ to describe what we do at Elder Caring. However many on our team are registered social workers by education and have many years of training and experience.
I am proud to call myself a social worker and I have used that title since 1980.
Did you know that social workers are regulated by provincial law? In Ontario, the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 is overseen by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Only Registered Social Workers who are members in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers can call themselves a ‘Social Worker’ and have RSW after their name.
Did you know that the services provided by a registered social worker are often covered by extended health care plans? This means we can provide a receipt for our services which may be reimbursed by your carrier.
Did you know that social work services may also be HST exempt? We are currently waiting for a ruling from CRA.
The world of aging is only getting bigger. My one hope for this profession is that we can start to attract more individuals from all backgrounds to study and pursue social work specifically focusing on the wonderful world of seniors and their families.
Leave a reply
